Reflection

As we step into the Christmas season what is the first thing that comes to your mind? No worries, there is no condemnation if your first thought was panic instead of peace on earth. The holidays can often seem far from merry and bright holydays when our to-do list threatens to drag us into darkness. You can choose to just try to hang in there or you can brighten the days with prayer.

We want to encourage you to join us in taking time throughout December reading and praying through the prophecies and accounts of the birth of Jesus. Let the Word reset and refresh your focus on the “Reason for the Season,” and every season of your life. Let His light and life shine in you and through you; letting God use you, like His star, to light the path for others to come worship Jesus. As with most things, the beginning is a very good place to start, and in this case, “In the beginning” is at the heart of where Christmas starts.

In the beginning was the Word, Jesus, the Light and life of men. The Word was with God and was God as the Father said, “Let there be light,” and all things came into being through Him. As God placed the stars in the sky their charted movement was set, and the stars began to countdown the announcement of the arrival of the Creator to come dwell among His creation. As you move through these busy days we pray that your heart celebrates the Light and life of Jesus every day. Lift up the Word and let Him light up your world.

How We Can Pray

While all might not be calm throughout this season, all can be bright. Would you please consider singing or at least pondering the words of Silent Night in your heart as you join me in prayer?

1 Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

’round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant, so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace,

sleep in heavenly peace.

2 Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar,

heav’nly hosts sing, “Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!”

3 Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

radiant beams from Thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

4 Silent night! Holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light;

with the angels let us sing

“Alleluia” to our King:

“Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born.”

Would you please pray with me now?

Lord Jesus, we pause to praise You, The Light and Life of the World. We lift You up; to exalt You in our hearts and in this world. You shine in the darkness and though the darkness did not comprehend it, by Your grace we have received it as we received You as our Lord and Savior. It is beyond our understanding how Your glory fit into the flesh of a baby as the Prince of Peace laid in a manger not on a throne. Strengthen us to live in Your light and reflect all that You are and all that You mean to us. We love You Son of God, love’s pure light. Prompt us to shine and sing throughout this season, “Christ the Savior is born!” In Your beautiful name we pray, Amen!

LIGHT Your Path!

Please join us as we “Lift up the Word and Light Up the World.” Here is some LIGHT for your path as you walk by faith and celebrate the Light of the World.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-5 1 NAS)

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to His people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

Please add your favorites to this list and be encouraged to repeat them in faith-filled prayer.

December Pray For America Call

Urgent Prayer Response

We continue to pray through the reports coming out of Israel and Gaza, as our hearts break for our Israeli brothers and sisters, as well as Christians in the land and the shedding of innocent blood in Israel and Palestine. We invite you to join with fellow NDP intercessors in unified Day and Night Prayer for Israel. Text ISRAEL to 31401 to receive two prayer prompts each day, morning and night, throughout this war. Copy and share this call to prayer as you feel led to invite others to join in unified prayer.